Tag Archives: stanley cup

The Los Angeles Kings opened training camp yesterday, the start of a grueling ten-month season in which they look to defend their second Stanley Cup title in two seasons. With the vast majority of their roster returning the Kings will be looking to accomplish something that’s hasn’t been done in the NHL in over fifteen years—win back to back Stanley Cups. The last club to accomplish the feat was the Detroit Red Wings in 1997-1998.

The Kings will have a big target on their backs, with several of the other Western Conference contenders, including the Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche making offseason moves intended to upgrade the roster. Due to wise cap management by General Manager Dean Lombardi, the Kings didn’t face the typical post-championship exodus that many teams deal with. In addition to keeping the core of the roster the Kings were able to lock up Marian Gaborik on a longer-term deal. The fleet forward was a major part of the Kings offensive surge in the postseason, and should be a major component of their offensive attack during the upcoming season.

Goaltender Jonathan Quick, such a vital part of both of the Stanley Cup winning teams, will miss the beginning of training camp after wrist surgery. Kyle Clifford and Jarrett Stoll will join Quick on the sidelines in the early part of training camp. After a weekend of practice the Kings will kick off the exhibition season on Monday night when a split squad takes on the Arizona Coyotes. The first exhibition game will take place just sixteen days before the Kings kick off the regular season when they face the San Jose Sharks on October 8.

So can they repeat?

Los Angeles had an immensely grueling playoff run a year ago, going a perfect 8-0 in postseason elimination games, including defeating the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks in seven game series. In their two title runs the veteran Kings roster has developed a reputation for performing in the clutch, a key component of last year’s title which includes coming back to defeat the San Jose Sharks after falling behind by three games in the series.

STANLEY CUP

A return to normalcy should benefit the Kings, provided they can stay healthy. Two seasons ago the NHL played a shortened season due to the lockout. Last year the Kings dealt with Jonathan Quick missing nearly two months of the season due to a groin injury, and the Sochi Olympic break. The big question is whether or not the Kings can finish in the top half of the Western Conference. In both title winning seasons the Kings finished in the back half of the conference, 8th and 6th in the respective seasons. Without home ice advantage they’ve still managed to make title runs due to their veteran grit and ability to win on the road. If the Kings can get off to a fast start and stay healthy, they may have the luxury of defending the Stanley Cup with home ice advantage this season.

The Los Angeles Kings have become the perennial cup contender their fan base has long dreamed of by winning Lord Stanley’s trophy two of the past three years while having a core of players both in their prime and under contract for the foreseeable future.

General Manager, Dean Lombardi, has created a locker room of talented focused characters surrounded by an organization built on a foundation of accountability. He spoke to the team camaraderie at the victory parade rally this past June:

“The franchise has now evolved to another level.[The fans], myself and my staff are now super-charged by another motivating force. Simply stated, to watch this group of men make a commitment to themselves, as individuals, to be the best they can be, and most importantly, their commitment to each other, that touches all of our souls and transcends their sport.”

Dean has become a cap magician who is now emulated by other franchises. He has an uncanny ability to target players who possess “team first” DNA coupled with on-ice success. Yet, under the new cap of $69 million for the 2014-15 season, Lombardi has put together a complete 23 player roster signed at $68,791,894 1 with other teams like Chicago, mulling over tough decisions in order to balance their budget.

The Kings stand pat with nearly all of their 2013-14 teams returning to defend their title. They have core players such as Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter locked up well through the latter part of the decade and last year’s spring addition of Marian Gaborik, has blossomed in to a 7-year cap friendly $4.875M.

Gaborik could have signed with other teams for bigger money but his chemistry with Anze Kopitar and his belief in the organization’s dedication to each other boasts that the Los Angeles Kings possesses the aptitude for continued success.

Jeff Carter paralleled his homecoming to Gaborik’s:

“You know what? The same thing happened for me when I came here. That’s what these guys do here. They teach you to do the right things, and I’m just proud to be a part of it.”

Though the path to Jeff Carter and the LA Kings first Stanley Cup Championship in 2012 had exalted such dominance; the journey of the 2014 Los Angeles Kings was a living testimonial of how perseverance and mental toughness are the bone and marrow of professional sports. Their resiliency forged broken and bruised bones into Stanley Cup silver.

They were the first team in NHL history to win three playoff games 7’s on the road.
They were crowned the ”Kings of California” by resurrection from an 0-3 series deficit against the San Jose Sharks- a fete only done by 3 other teams in NHL history- and by ousting the Anaheim Ducks in a 7-game display of back-and-forth offense.

Despite trailing 3-times, they took their prior playoffs season redemption against the Chicago Blackhawks by beating them in a thrilling overtime game 7.

In the Stanley Cup Final, they closed out 3 of their 4 wins in overtime against, all-world goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers, to again, ascend to their throne.

They were able to muster enough perseverance and resolve to crown their Stanley Cup journey with
another Championship.

So what does that mean for the expectations of the 2014-15 Los Angeles Kings?

The expectation is not a secret. The Kings must defend their crown and become the first team in the cap era to win back-to-back championships. Unless you count them as back to back FULL-season Champions (get your shirt via royalhalf.com).

Joking aside…

There is no doubt that the Kings have proven that they are a franchise built for playoff success.
However, during the regular season, inconsistencies in play and scoring prowess are areas the Kings will want to improve on.

In the past three seasons, the Kings have finished 26th (2013-14), 10th (2013) and 29th (2011-12) in goals-for amongst 30 NHL teams. The re-emergence of Jeff Carter (27G, 23A) and the addition of Marian Gaborik bolster an already fearless offense of Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Justin Williams, Mike Richards, Trevor Lewis, Dwight King and their two budding rookies, Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson.

It’s hard to predict that adding a single player will nourish their regular season scoring drought, but despite sparse scoring how do they still manage to make the playoffs and bring two championships to the city of Los Angeles?

What gives, or better yet, what doesn’t give?

Their defense.

The reigning Jennings Trophy winners are a stingy team. Last year they allowed the league’s lowest average of 2.05 goals against per game.

Mitchell’s absence may provide the opportunity for young talent like 6’4 Brayden McNabb to crack the roster, or allow the Kings to option other players with more NHL experience such as Jeff Schultz (re-signed) to fill in for Regehr or in back to back game situations.

The play of goaltender, Jonathan Quick, never ceases to amaze. Though his numbers in 2013-14 (2.07GAA, .915sv %) found him 14th in the league, there is no doubt that the confidence he has in the team in front of him is shared by his teammates. (Reminisce about unbelievable saves from 2013-14 NHL here courtesy of KingsVision).

Martin Jones showed that he is more than capable to back up Jon Quick, with his 7-game winning streak and .934sv% and 1.81 GAA in 19 games played.

Finally, at the helm is head coach Darryl Sutter with returning assistant coaches John Stevens, Davis Payne and goaltending coach, Bill Ranford. Multiple NHL teams inquired about John Stevens for a head coaching position, yet he decided to stay in LA. The belief in the system in place in Los Angeles has everybody drinking the water. It’s not a matter of luck or fortune. It’s about attitude and commitment.

I’m reminded of a quote from Darryl Sutter from 2012 when asked by a reporter whether the LA Kings were a team of ‘destiny’, where he replied, “What’s that?” The coach makes no excuses for what he sees transpire on the ice.

In 2014-15, who knows what records will be broken, which players will become legends or if the Kings will hoist Lord Stanley even that much higher. I do know that with this Kings team, you have to expect the unexpected and that is another piece of their history, their armor.

The Kings season begins October 8, 2014 where they will raise their second banner and simultaneously pour salt in the open wound of the San Jose Sharks.

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Combined the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings have won three of the last four Stanley Cups. After they both started slow in the opening round of this year’s playoffs, the Blackhawks and Kings have now won a combined 11 straight playoff games. Chicago holds a 2-0 lead on the Minnesota Wild, winning the first two games by a combined 9-3 score. Los Angeles has their hands full versus the top seeded Anaheim Ducks, but after an exciting come from behind victory in the opening game the Kings now have home ice advantage. Both teams are peaking at the right time. Are they on a collision course for the Western Conference finals?

From a Blackhawks standpoint the inevitable answer is yes. Chicago should have no difficulty dispatching the Wild and likely getting several days of rest in the process. Minnesota has a talented core group, but they are severely overmatched at the most important position in professional sports, goaltender. With Corey Crawford in net the Hawks have a massive advantage over Minnesota and Ilya Bryzgalov. After playing without captain Jonathon Toews and Patrick Kane at the end of the regular season the Blackhawks are healthy again.

KINGS VS HAWKS

The Los Angeles Kings road to the Western Conference finals won’t be that easy. The Anaheim Ducks have two elite players in Hart Trophy Candidate Ryan Getzlaf and former Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry. Anaheim has a deep and talented deep with an ideal combination of youth and experience. Los Angeles came back to win game one at the Honda Center, but the Ducks and Kings series has the feel of a classic NHL postseason matchup, one destined to go seven games. The fact that the two teams are just thirty miles apart adds an extra element to the intensity of the series. Monday’s game is an absolute must-win for the Ducks, who simply cannot afford to fall behind 2-0 versus a team with a goaltender as talented as Jonathan Quick.

If the Kings do advance, and provided Minnesota doesn’t pull a comeback, the Kings and Blackhawks will meet in the Western Conference finals once again. Last season the defending Stanley Cup champion Kings lost a five game series to Chicago, who would go on to beat Boston to win their second cup in four seasons. The Kings offense went stagnant in last year’s matchup, scoring just eleven goals in the five game series. The Kings have bolstered their offense this season, through the evolution of some young players as well as the big acquisition of Marian Gaborik.

KINGS HAWKS

So who wins? Chicago is playing their best hockey of the season, with a healthy roster and outstanding goaltender play from Corey Crawford. The Kings, after a brutal start to the San Jose series, have been tremendous over the last week and a half. If the two teams do meet the series will come down to the inevitable defense and goaltending, as well as the Kings ability to slow and contain Patrick Kane. The evolution of Drew Doughty has given the Kings offense a new element, as has the acquisition of a healthy Marian Gaborik. The two goals Gaborik scored to win game one versus the Ducks is a prime example of what the former Wild and Rangers superstar gives the Kings that they didn’t have when they met the Blackhawks last season. This year’s Blackhawks team hasn’t been as nearly impressive as last year’s. Chicago has dominated Minnesota on the scoreboard, but the actual games have been much tighter. Sunday’s game was very similar to Friday’s, where Chicago went through long stretches of unimpressive play. In a tight series the team with the best goaltender arguably has the advantage, and Los Angeles has the best goaltender.
Kings prevail.

Los Angeles Kings Tickets

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BARRY’S TICKETS

Barry’s Tickets is located just minutes from Staples Center!
1020 S. Figueroa, Los Angeles, CA 90015
(across from the Staples Center inside the Luxe City Center)
Open 7 days a week, 9am – 9pm, for pickups.
213 749 0057

After a third consecutive victory the Los Angeles Kings are on the brink of accomplishing what only eight other NHL teams have done, coming back from a 3-0 deficit to win a seven-game NHL playoff series. Justin Williams scored twice to propel the Kings to a 4-1 victory over the visiting San Jose Sharks, evening the opening round NHL playoff series at three, and setting up a highly anticipate game seven on Wednesday night. The two teams will play a seventh game in a playoff series for the third time in four seasons in one of the best playoff rivalries in recent history.

SHARKS BENCH

Tied at one heading into the third period Williams scored his second goal of the game at the 11:56 mark. Williams was able to knock home a loose puck that wasn’t quite controlled by Sharks goaltender Alex Stalock, much to the chagrin of Sharks head coach Todd McLellan. The Sharks head coach thought Stalock, making his first start in the series, had sufficiently controlled the puck. In a comment indicative of how desperate things have become for San Jose McLellan said after the game that “We (Sharks) got cheated”. The two teams were deadlocked in a tight 1-1 battle at the time. Replays were inconclusive, but did indicate that the puck wasn’t completely controlled. Trying to corral the puck as it slipped behind Stalock, Sharks defender Matt Irwin may have accidentally knocked it in. The decision to start Stalock was predicated by the poor play of Sharks goaltender Antti Niemi. After solid play in the first three games of the season the playoff inconsistency that Niemi has shown in years past, especially against the Kings, returned at the worst time possible. Stalock kept it close, but after the Williams go ahead goal the Kings were able to blow the contest open. As many predicted goaltending is becoming a story in the series. After a slow start in the first three games Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick is proving once again that he’s one of the elite netminders in the NHL. Quick has allowed just one goal in the last two games of the series, won by Los Angeles with a combined 7-1 score.

After Williams scored his second goal of the game to give the Kings the lead for good, Anze Kopitar scored two goals in a one minute and fifteen seconds span to put the game away for good. Kopitar notched his second and third goals of the series and has now scored in all six games of the series. Kopitar provided the assist on Williams’ second goal, giving the Kings captain three points. Drew Doughty added two assists for Los Angeles.

MIKE RICHARDS

The Sharks played without top defender Marc-Edouard Vlasic, out with an upper body injury. Vlasic’s availability will be a big question mark as the two teams head into game seven. Who Todd McLellan plays in net will also be a big factor. Stalock is an unproven playoff performer with just 27 regular season appearances under his belt. The decision to stay with Stalock or go back to Niemi will be a big storyline as the series moves into its final game.

Game seven is Wednesday night at the Shark Tank in San Jose. The winner will move on to the second round to face the Anaheim Ducks.

Dont miss any of the action! LA Kings Tickets for all playoff games on sale now with no service fees on any tickets.

BARRY’S TICKETS

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1020 S. Figueroa, Los Angeles, CA 90015
(across from the Staples Center inside the Luxe City Center)
Open 7 days a week, 9am – 9pm, for pickups.
213 749 0057

With the NHL playoffs nearing and the races tightening the Los Angeles Kings may have to wait until the last day of the regular season to determine who their first round opponent will be. The Kings are likely locked into the sixth playoff position, but with a logjam at the top of the conference standings the Kings first round opponent is still very much undecided. If the season ended today the Kings would face the San Jose Sharks in the opening round. The Sharks are currently third in the conference, a point behind the Anaheim Ducks and a point on top of the Colorado Avalanche. Just a point behind the Avalanche and two points behind the Sharks, are the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks.

Here’s a look at the potential Kings opening round opponents:

SHARKS

San Jose Sharks: The Kings and Sharks have played five times this season with four of the five games decided by just a single goal. The Kings hold the advantage in the season series, three games to two. Two of the games have gone into overtime, with the Kings winning the opening game between the two teams in overtime and the Sharks winning the second game via a shootout. The two teams played a hotly contested second round playoff series last year, with the Kings coming out on top by virtue of having home ice advantage. Not a single road team won a game in the seven game series. The home ice advantage could prove significant for the Sharks this year who have been outstanding on home ice this year.

AVALANCHE

Colorado Avalanche: The Colorado Avalanche have been a massive surprise this season under first year head coach Patrick Roy, the leading candidate for coach of the year in the NHL this season. The Avalanche has been on fire of late with a six-game winning streak to make a late run toward the top of the Western Conference. The Avalanche has a solid group of talented young forwards, led by center Matt Duchene and winger Gabriel Landeskog. The most exciting Avalanche player is eighteen-year-old center Nathan MacKinnon, the top overall pick in last year’s NHL entry draft. The Avalanche has played two fewer games than the Sharks and Blackhawks.

BLACKHAWKS

Chicago Blackhawks: Sitting in fifth place in the conference, but just two behind the third place Sharks, are the defending Stanley Cup champions. After a period of rough play the Blackhawks have rebounded of late and are in the midst of a three-game winning streak. Chicago has decided to sit their captain and best player Jonathan Toews for the remaining of the regular season due to an upper body injury. The Kings and Blackhawks met in the playoffs each of the past two seasons. Los Angeles defeated Chicago in 2012 on their way to a Stanley Cup title. The Blackhawks returned the favor, defeating the Kings in five games last June on their way to a title. Chicago is the odds on favorite again to represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup final.

DUCKS

Anaheim Ducks: There’s an outside chance the Kings could face the Ducks in the opening round, if Anaheim somehow loses the second seed. After leading the Western Conference for the majority of the regular season the Ducks were recently surpassed by the St. Louis Blues. With a game in hand and just three points behind the Blues the Ducks still have an opportunity to earn home ice. If the Ducks somehow fall to third they’ll set up what will be a much anticipated opening round series.

The Los Angeles Kings continued their hot streak, winning three of four on the road, including three consecutive wins in Canada behind the play of rookie goaltender Martin Jones. The Kings six game winning streak came to an end Sunday night at the hands of the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks. The Kings return home for four games, starting Tuesday night when they host the Edmonton Oilers at STAPLES Center. You can still purchase Kings Tickets for the Tuesday game as well as the entire Kings Schedule.

Week Recap: The Kings play without star goaltender Jonathon Quick has been impressive with both Ben Scrivens and Martin Jones stepping up with solid play. Jones had shotouts in two of his first three games, including the Kings first ever shutout over the Montreal Canadians. Tuesday night’s win over Montreal, in which the Kings throttled the first place Canadians in Montreal 6-0, was perhaps the Kings most impressive win of the season. Los Angeles scored two goals in the first period and four in the second to put the game away early. Tyler Toffoli continued his stellar play with his 8th goal of the season while Anze Kopitar notched his 9th goal of the year. Following the impressive victory in Montreal the Kings traveled to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs in a back-to-back on Wednesday night. Jones was impressive in goal again, stopping 38 of the 39 Toronto shots on goal. Jeff Carter and Kyle Clifford picked up third period goals to put the game away. Jones won again, his fourth victory in four career starts. The Kings had two days rest before making the trip north to Ottawa for a game with the Senators. The Kings jumped on top of the Senators with three goals in the first period and never looked back to run their win streak to six. Anze Kopitar had two goals for Los Angeles and now has eleven on the season. Martin Jones stopped 37 shots in the victory. The rookie is now 5-0 in five career starts with just a 0.99 goals against average.

Staples Center

The Week Ahead: The Kings return home for three games this coming week versus the Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche. The big question for Los Angeles is when they can expect their star goaltender, Jonathon Quick back. It’s a testament to their depth that they haven’t missed a beat with Ben Scrivens and Martin Jones in goal. Quick is still a few weeks away from returning, but the club did announce that he’ll be available for the United States when the winter Olympics kick off in early February.

Where they stand: The Kings have the third best record in the Western Conference, which is also good for the third best record in the National Hockey League. Los Angeles’s loss in Chicago on Sunday dropped them to give points behind the Blackhawks for the top record in hockey. They are part of a tight four-team race in the brutal Pacific Division. Anaheim, Los Angeles San Jose and Vancouver are bunched within four points of each other at the top.By:Chris Michaels

Barry’s Tickets is offering a special Kings Tickets Discount Code for the Kings home games at the Staples Center This week which includes the Oilers, Sharks and Avalanche! Use the Kings Tickets Discount Code at the Checkout!

Coming off a disappointing end to their 2012 season, the Los Angeles Kings open the 2013-2014 NHL Regular Season with a two game road trip that includes visits to Minnesota and Winnipeg to take on two members of the new NHL Central Division, next Thursday and Friday. Following the two game road swing the Kings open at the Staples Center on Monday (October 7) versus the New York Rangers. Kings Vs Rangers Tickets are starting at $35.00 per ticket. The Kings are looking to get back to the Stanley Cup finals after losing in the Western Conference finals last season to the Chicago Blackhawks. The Kings run toward the title in the upcoming season will take place in the re-aligned Pacific Division. The NHL re-aligned the divisions this offseason and the Pacific Division now includes the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers.

The Kings kept most of the core of their roster this offseason, with a few minor but not drastic changes. The core group of talent, which includes a nice mix of veterans and young talent, remains. The Kings lost Rob Scuderi to Pittsburgh in free agency. The veteran defenseman was a capable and gritty player. Will Mitchell, back from a season long knee injury, is healthy and should mitigate the loss of Scuderi. Up front the Kings lost Dustin Penner, who returned to the Anaheim Ducks in free agency. Winger Matt Frattin, acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Jonathon Bernier trade, will capably replace Penner and in the Kings minds likely produce more consistency.

The key for the Kings remains goaltender Jonathon Quick. The veteran netminder and former Conn Smythe Tropy Award winner is a difference maker between the pipes who sets the tone for the Kings top ten NHL defense. The rest of the Kings defensive unit is anchored at the blue line by Drew Doughty, young star Slava Voynov, youngster Jake Muzzin, Mitchell and Matt Greene. The defenseman crew is a nice mix of offensive talent, youth, and gritty veterans. Upfront the Kings have kept their offensive core together, including Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, Justin Williams, Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar and Jarret Stoll. Frattin, who emerged as a solid two-way player with the Maple Leafs last season, will be matched with Carter and Richards on the Kings first line, a great opportunity for the former Leaf to flourish. Like in the defensive unit the Kings have a talented group of young options up front as well, including Tyler Toffoli who put together a solid late season stretch of play, as well as Tanner Pearson and Linden Vey. Both Pearson and Vey put up solid numbers with the Manchester Monarchs last season.

With Bernier now in Toronto as part of the Frattin trade the big question for the Kings is whether or not Scrivens can provide good minutes as the backup goaltender. The Kings were outclassed by the Blackhawks in the finals after two tough series victories over St. Louis and San Jose. Last year’s condensed NHL season meant a lot of minutes for Quick. With the league back to its full regular season schedule the Kings will need solid minutes from Scrivens to rest Quick. The new Pacific Division will allow the Kings to travel less, but also includes the same tough teams from the former Pacific, as well as the Vancouver and Edmonton. The Canucks remain a talented and veteran team, while the Oilers have the best young talent base in the NHL.By:Chris Michaels

With many picking them for fourth place in the Pacific Division the Anaheim Ducks put together a tremendous regular season, overshadowed only by the Chicago Blackhawks and their remarkable regular season. The Ducks lost their momentum and suffered an early playoff exit at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings, dampening their outstanding regular season. With both Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry signed to long term extensions the once cloudy Ducks future is clear and under Head Coach Bruce Boudreau the Ducks should make another strong regular season push this year.

Do the Ducks have what it takes to win the Stanley Cup?

Up front: The Ducks have an elite combination up front in former MVP Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Both are among the most talented players in the NHL and the Ducks have locked them up with long term deals. In the new salary capped NHL signing players to expensive long-term deals comes with a price. In the case of the Ducks the move to sign Perry and Getzlaf eliminated their ability to sign the third member of their big three, Bobby Ryan. The big American forward was a consistent force for the club, scoring 131 goals over the past four seasons. He’s off to Ottawa for a package that features former Senators second round pick Jakob Silverberg. The Swedish forward is a talented player who put up solid numbers last season in Ottawa. He’ll be relied on to inject some new playmaking into the lineup and fill in for the loss of Ryan. The other player who’ll be counted on to provide some of the grit and size the Ducks lost with the trade of Ryan is Dustin Penner, re-acquired from the Los Angeles Kings. The former Ducks forward remains big and talented, but has had an up and down career. If Penner can recapture the star form he’s shown at times throughout his career the Ducks may not miss a beat with the loss of Ryan. Last season Anaheim was in the top ten in goals scored and had an elite, top five power play. With their two stars back the Ducks should be as strong as ever in special teams.

Between the Pipes: Anaheim has two solid and experienced goaltenders in Jonas Hiller and Viktor Fasth who split duties last season. They both performed well and this arrangement should serve them well in the long NHL regular season. If either player gets injured or has a poor spell of play the Ducks have young star John Gibson waiting in the wings. The twenty-year-old was voted the Most Valuable Player when the United States won the IIHF World Junior Championships. He’s one of the elite up and coming goaltending prospects in the National Hockey League. The trio gives the Ducks a goaltending situation that is the envy of many NHL clubs. Of course the strategy of goaltenders sharing time often creates an issue of who will lead the team when the playoffs arrive. NHL teams typically run with one goaltender during the Stanley Cup playoffs and the Ducks will have to decide who the top netminder is for their eventual playoff run.

On the Blue Line: The Ducks defense thrived last season with the arrival of Sheldon Souray and the continued evolution of Francois Beauchemin as an elite NHL defenseman. The two veterans provided solid two way play and timely offense during the regular season. Unfortunately for Ducks fans both players are now coming off injuries with Beauchemin having offseason knee surgery and Souray injuring his wrist in an offseason training accident. The Ducks expect Beauchemin back towards the beginning of the regular season, but Souray will likely miss the first two months. With Souray out the Ducks will need Cam Fowler to continue is ascent as a potential top NHL blue-liner. The young American had a breakout year last season, evolving as an elite stay at home defenseman. Luca Sbisa, Bryan Allen, Toni Lydman and perhaps young talent Hampus Lindholm round out the Ducks defensive group.

Young Talent: Beyond the veteran stars the Ducks front office has done a fine job in developing a group of young and talented players. Kyle Palmieri, Emerson Etem, Peter Holland, and Sami Vatanen all played roles in the team last season, with Palmieri and Etem playing significant roles. Combined with Gibson and Lindholm, soon to arrive, the Ducks may have the best farm system and group of young players in the NHL. The development of this players into future stars is a key reality to the new NHL. Salary cap limitations and the need to spend big money on stars like Getzlaf and Perry shows the need for a bench and the Ducks are in a solid position. This group of talented players will play a big role on the ice this season as well as potential trade bait as the NHL trade deadline comes late in the season.

So can they win the Stanley Cup? The Pacific Division will be a challenge. It’s a deep group of teams that includes perennial powers like the Kings, Sharks and Canucks and the up and coming Edmonton Oilers. Most have the Ducks predicted to either win or finish in the top three in their division. They’ll be in a strong position to earn at least one of the new wildcards and have a fighting chance to make a deep playoff run. Come playoff time the health of their defense is important as is the need to settle on a number one goaltender. The other key factor to watch will be the complacency question with Getzlaf and Perry. Players react differently to big contracts and there’s always the chance that performance can wane. Both players had solid years last season but poor years the season before. The Ducks will need scoring punch from Perry, like in his MVP year, and the solid two-way play that has marked Getzlaf’s career. If the two superstars play to their potential the Ducks are a strong candidate to win the Stanley Cup in their 20th season as an NHL team.

People love sports. If you don’t believe that, just walk in to a professional sporting competition and catch a glimpse of the borderline hysterical behavior. You may have even been guilty yourself, screaming your head off at the referee or razzing the opposing team’s outfielder in between innings. But no matter what we do when supporting our favorite athlete or team, the most accurate gauge of enthusiasm is in the price we’re willing to pay just to “be there” and experience it for ourselves.

In that spirit, check out this list we’ve put together of the Top 16 Most Expensive Sports Tickets from recent years. As you look over these ask yourself: how far you’d be willing to go to experience the action firsthand? Is a ticket to a 3-4 hr sporting event worth a mortgage payment or the price of a new car?

1. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Sport: F1 Racing

Formula 1 Racing is the most popular racing sport in the world, and while events such as the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix can put a sting on your pocketbook, they’re not as expensive as some of the other sports you’re about to see. However, Abu Dhabi is considered the most expensive F1 event in the world, and to make sure you’re a part of it, you’ll have to lay down around $513 for a single ticket. Not too bad comparably, but if you’re an international fan, any savings you might get from the ticket will quickly be negated by travel expenses.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Highlights Through The Years

2. The Masters 2013

Sport: PGA Golf

While Yahoo! Sports declared The Masters the most expensive event in all of sports, that really depends on how you want to qualify it. Prices fluctuate when you factor in third-party sellers and the natural supply and demand for any sporting competition, so for now, we’ll hold off our endorsement. Still, the $4,486 four-day pass does make The Masters a big deal. What also makes it a big deal is the fact you’ll be literally brushing shoulders with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickleson, and other modern greats of the green, while filling up on $3 beers and $1.50 pimento cheese sandwiches.

Top 10 Greatest Golf Shots in The Masters

3. Super Bowl XLVII: Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers

Sport: American Football

If you’re an American, then it’s almost guaranteed you know about the Super Bowl. In fact, of the ten most watched shows in television history, nine of them are Super Bowls. Even if you’re not a football fan, you probably tune in every year just to watch the commercials and the halftime show. But as game day draws near, you’ll need some really deep couch cushions if you’re going to attend in-person. Face value ticket prices for 2013 averaged about $1,210, according to NOLA.com, but third party ticket prices were listed as high as $316,000. Good luck footing that bill!

Super Bowl XLVII: Ravens vs. 49ers highlights

4. FIFA World Cup 2014 Final

Sport: Soccer

Soccer is far and away the biggest team sport in the world. While the United States is just starting to embrace it as part of the mainstream, we’re way behind everyone else. With clubs that date back more than a century, there is an enormous amount of heritage and respect tied to the game that ingrains it into the dreams of young hopefuls from the time they first learn how to bicycle kick. But if you think playing in the global tournament-to-end-all-tournaments is difficult, you should try attending. The World Cup 2014 will be held in Brazil, and to get there, you’ll need at least $990 for a single ticket to the Final, plus travel expenses. Furthermore, if you want to see all group and tournament matches for a specific team, it’ll run you about $3,350 per person for all seven matches. Of course, if your team doesn’t make it through the tourney, you can still go to the R16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals, or you may want to sell those to help defray trip costs, but doing so will be an uphill battle.

Germany vs Argentina (1-0) World Cup 2014 Highlights

5. BCS National Championship 2013: Alabama vs. Notre Dame

Sport: College Football

Alabama Crimson Tide Head Football Coach Nick Saban has led his team to three National Championships since 2009, including a victory against his former employer (the LSU Tigers) in 2011. During that game, the Tide also topped ticket prices with an average cost of $632.71, according to ESPN. But that was nothing compared to the prices for ‘Bama’s 2012 drubbing of Notre Dame. High-end buyers for the 2012 BCS title game had to pay as much as $250,000 for a luxury box. (Seats were not sold separately.)

While events, such as swimming, basketball, and tennis can fetch several hundred dollars per ticket on the resell market, nothing compares to the price for an Olympic Opening Ceremony ticket. SeatGeek tracked ticket purchases throughout the 2012 Games in London and found that people were willing to pay as much as $4,000 for category B seats on eBay. The next closest event was swimming, which clocked in with an average ticket a little north of $700. Depending on the events you decided to attend after the lighting of the torch, this one could have gotten out of hand in a hurry, price-wise.

The Lakers-Celtics rivalry is one of the most popular in all of sports. So when the two met up for the 2010 NBA Finals, high ticket prices were to be expected. The result: a single courtside ticket ran $57,950. For a pair (the minimum purchase), it was more than $115,000, or a little north of the price tag on a 2011 Mercedes-Benz SL-550 convertible (according to the New York Times). Considering the Lakers would take the title in the seventh and final game by just four points, some might say the expense was worth it — Lakers fans anyway.

2010 NBA Finals – Boston vs Los Angeles – Game 7 Best Plays

8. New York Yankees Legends Suites

Sport: Baseball

High ticket prices needn’t be tied to the importance of a sports competition. Sometimes tickets are expensive just because of where you’re sitting and whom you’re watching. Take the Legends Suites at Yankee Stadium. The suites hold 122, and each ticket runs close to $2,500, according to Forbes. Furthermore, they have to be leased years in advance in three-, five-, seven-, and ten-year increments. At the very least, that’s around $915,000 per game. And if the Yankees manage to make it into the playoffs, it gets pricier from there, easily cracking the $1 million mark.

Boxing’s current pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, Jr., defeated knockout puncher Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on September 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, and walked away with a cool $42 million, thanks in part to what people were willing to pay at the box office. Ringside seats went for as much as $30,940 per ticket due to both fighters being unbeaten.

Floyd Mayweather vs Saul Canelo Alvarez Highlights

10. UFC: Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson

Sport: MMA

When Jon Jones defended his UFC light heavyweight championship against top contender Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165 on September 21, he did so in front of an always lively Canadian crowd, who as countrymen to UFC great Georges St.-Pierre, take their MMA very seriously. The fight, which took place in Toronto, featured a number of tickets that went for north of $1,000, with four being offered at $2,995. For that price, patrons were so close to the cage, they needed an umbrella to deflect the bloodshed.

UFC 165 Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson Fight Highlights

11. Stanley Cup Finals 2013: Boston Bruins vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Sport: Ice Hockey

The US isn’t known for its embrace of professional ice hockey. Historically, the sport has been more of a Canada-Russia thing. So when two American cities squared off for the Stanley Cup in 2013, no one expected average prices to reach $1,380; but then, no one expected the Boston Marathon bombing to happen either. Forbes attributed the uptick in pricing to the tragedy, noting how repeat championship appearances often drive future ticket prices downward. Since the Bruins had been to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2011, the 30 percent spike in this year’s prices indicated the city was latching on to every source of pride it could to overcome the senseless tragedy of April 15, 2013.

International tennis stars Andy Murray and Novak Djovokic squared off in July 2013 in what would become one of the more expensive events in Wimbledon’s history. On the morning of the championship match, ticket prices soared to around $65,000 each. For the price, last-minute buyers were treated to a three-hour battle for the ages that resulted in Murray defeating Djovokic, becoming the first British winner of the men’s singles title since Fred Perry in 1936 and the first Scot — man or woman — to win Wimbledon singles since Harold Mahoney in 1896.

Whether it was place, circumstance, or a combination of the two, the men’s 2012 Winter Olympics ice hockey final managed to top that year’s Super Bowl in terms of face value ticket prices. A single pass to the overtime thriller that saw host country Canada taking the Gold Medal from the US, 3-2, would have cost an individual $3,250, according to CNN Money. Despite the expense, the neighboring countries were still able to pack in more than 17,000 people.

Top 10 Hockey Plays Of The 2010 Olympics

14. WWE Wrestlemania 29

Sport: Professional Wrestling

Given the fact the outcomes are rehearsed ahead of time, it’s perfectly understandable if you don’t want to acknowledge the WWE as a sport. The company classifies its product as “sports entertainment,” which sounds closer to reality. Regardless, it does take a high degree of athleticism to be able to do the things many of these wrestlers do, and patrons of the company’s annual event, known as Wrestlemania, are willing to pay big money to see their ring heroes up close and personal.

What qualifies as “big money” in the pro wrestling world? In November 2012, ringside tickets for last April’s show went on sale at $2,075 a pop. But hey, at least you got to keep your seat!

Phoenix, Arizona’s Chase Field hosted the 2011 contest between the National League and American League All-Stars. If you were in attendance and sitting right behind home plate, then you had to pay $3,600 for the honor. But per the rules of the event, you were also required to purchase an additional ticket at the same price, which meant the entire experience would have cost $7,200 before even getting to the hot dogs and beer.

Cleveland, Ohio’s Progressive Field hosted the 2016 World Series game seven between the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians. If you were in attendance and sitting behind the Chicago Cubs dugout, then you had to pay $19,500. But per the rules of the event, you were also required to purchase an additional ticket at the same price, which meant the entire experience at the World Series game 7 would have cost $39,000 before even getting parking, food, drinks or MLB merchandise. The get’in price for the game 7 of the World Series was $2,400 per ticket.

Cubs vs Indians | World Series Game 7 Highlights (Cubs Win World Series)

As you can see, when it comes to sports, fans are willing to pay almost any price to support their favorites. While most people reading this wouldn’t dream of shelling out $30,000 for a single ticket, there’s always someone out there with the wallet and the passion to push the laws of supply and demand a little further than we thought possible.

What is the most that you would be willing to pay to attend a sporting event, and under what circumstances would you be willing to pay it? Share your thoughts in the comments section below and definitely consider ordering your next concert, sports, or theatre ticket from http://www.BarrysTickets.com/ in the future.

THE STORY: The Los Angeles Kings are a win away from their first Stanley Cup title – and they’ll have the Staples Center crowd on their side as they look to complete the sweep Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. The Kings are coming off what may have been their best game of the postseason, a 4-0 victory highlighted by Jonathan Quick’s third shutout of the playoffs. The young netminder is considered the odds-on favorite to take home the Conn Smythe Trophy if the Kings finish off the Devils in Game 4.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS, CBC, RDS

ABOUT THE DEVILS: Nothing is going right for New Jersey, which now needs to post four consecutive victories against one of the most dominant teams in playoff history. Even veteran netminder Martin Brodeur, who appeared to have turned back the clock in the first three series but stopped just 17 of 21 shots in Game 3. The Devils had their chances to generate offense in Monday’s defeat, but finished 0-for-6 on the power play. That included a stretch of 5-on-3 hockey that lasted more than a minute. “We’ve got to win four straight,” said Devils forward Zach Parise. “That’s our approach. Win the next one. That’s all we can do.”

ABOUT THE KINGS: Los Angeles has taken a level-headed approach to the postseason, and being a game away from the most coveted award in pro hockey hasn’t changed anything. “We can’t take anything for granted,” said Kings defenseman Drew Doughty. “It could have been two-nothing for them before (Game 3).” Special teams was the difference Monday night, as the Kings killed off all six New Jersey man advantage opportunities while going 2-for-2 on the power play. The second statistic is more notable, given that Los Angeles had gone five games without scoring a man-advantage goal.

OVERTIME:

1. The Kings are the first team to take a 3-0 lead in each series since the playoffs expanded to four best-of-seven rounds.

2. The 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team in NHL history to rally from a 3-0 deficit to win the Stanley Cup.

3. A win in any of the next four games would make Los Angeles the first No. 8 seed to capture a Stanley Cup title.